Wadding roll tightener



5 Sheets-Shea; l

Filed July 21, 1943 WADDING ROLL TIGHTENER .C, A. FOURNESS ETAL Oct. 1&1945, I

I 1945. cjA. FOURNESS ET! AL. 2,386,943

WADDING ROLL TIGHTENER Filed July 21,1945 5 .Sheets-Shet 2 Oct.-16, 1945. c. A. FoURNEss ETAL 2,386,943

WADDING ROLL TIGHTENER Filed July 21, 1945 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 Oct. 16, 1945. Y c. A. FOURNESS ETAL) 2,386,943

WADDING ROLL TIGHTENER Filed July 21, 1943 Q 7 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 ,2203% wwwfiw Oct. 16, 1.945.

.c. A. FOURNESS ETAL 2,336,943

WADDING ROLL TIGHTENER Filed July 21. 1943 v 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 REVERE/N6 STARTER Patented Oct. 16, 1945 Charles Albert Fourness, Appleton, and Carl Herman Reiohel, Neenah, Wis,, assignors to Paper Patents Company, Neenah, Wis., a corporation of Wisconsin Application July 21, 1943, Serial No.49'5,558-' 14 Claims.

This invention relates tomachines for tighteningand wrapping rolls or bats of wadding of one kindor another. It is suitable for use with rolls or bats developed from any type of celllulose and that have been rolled either by hand or by machine. It is especially adapted for tightening and wrapping hand-rolled bats of wadding formed in accordance with the apparatus shown and described in United States Patent No. 2,303,087 issued to Richard K. Neller November 24, I942.

The main objects of this invention are to provide a bat-tighteningand -wrapping machine of a bat of wadding adapted to draw up the spiral convolutions and simultaneously apply and seal a Wrapper and subsequently discharge the wrapped bat onto a receiving platform; to provide an improved machine of this kind wherein a taut span of a conveyor belt, upon receiving a bat and wrapper, is relaxed and lengthened to form a, suspended bat-embracing loop; to provide improved means for effecting the linear movement of said belt. so that the spiraled form of said bat is'tightened and the wrapper is simultaneously applied and sealed; to provide improved means for shifting the belt transversely of its linear movement for accelerating thealternation of said belt between its taut and looped contour; to provide an improved arrangement oi electrically-controlled, motor-driven mechanisms for effecting the several movements of the belt; and to provide an improved machine of this kind which is reasonably simple in construction, exceptionally compact in its arrange ment, positively effective in its operation, and

portably mountable so as to facilitate movement from place to place to permit its most convenient use.

In the particular embodiment of the battighteningand -wrapping machine, herein shown:

- Fig. l isv aside elevation showing the parts in position preparatory to receiving a roll or bat t wadding: tobe tightened and wrapped Fig, 2= is a side elevation taken from the oppositeside of the-machine,- showing the parts in the: position which they occupy when the bat isinthe process of being tightened and wrapped;

Fig. 3 is a plan-view of the machine with the parts in the position shown in Fig. 2;

Fig. his: a diagrammatic view of the conveyor belt when its associated parts are in the position shown; in Fig; I;

. Fig. 5 is a diag-rannnatio view of the conveyor belt when its associatedpartsare inthe position shown in Fig. 2

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary View of the rocker arm and frame showingthe position of the switchwhich controls the operation of the beltextending and -retracting mechanism;

Fig. 7' is a diagrammati'i': view of the electrical circuit for the belt-extending and -retraeting mechanism;

Fig. 8 is a diagrammaticview' of the electrical circuit for the belt-winding mechanism;

Fig. 9 is a detail View of the switch required for controlling the operation of the-belt-tiglitening mechanism.

The structure herein embodyi g this invention comprises a mountingfi whereupon are arranged the several coordinated; motor-driven mechanisms which actuate a conveyor'b'elt 1. For the purpose of receiving a roll or' bat-of Wadding to betightened and wrapped and then discharged onto a receiving platform these mechanisms include a belt-shifting mechanism 8-, a belt-extending and -retracting mechanism 9, and a beltwindin'g mechanism f ll.

The mounting 6' includes a base member H mounted" onca'sters [2, whereby the machine i chine;

conveyor belt 77.

may beshifted about from place to place, and a pair of" frame uprights 1 3- secured along the lateral'edges of said base member H and providing support for the various parts of the ma- Aswill-be noted," the upper longitudinal parts of these frame members is are inclined to the horizontal for the greater portion of their length; {This is to morereadily provide for an inclined disposition of the upper span of the A platform: M- is secured to the upper rear ends of the framemembenlt and inclined to lie in the plane of the upper span of the" belt I so as to receive the wrapped rolls when discharged from the belt conveyor 7.

The conveyorbelt 1 maybe of any suitable construction. The width and length thereof will depend, first, upon the sizeo'f rolls or bats of wadding that are to be handled and secondly, upon the consequent arrangement of the mechanismsgforshifting, extending and retracting, and winding the belt, as will hereinafter be described; As clearly shown in the figures, this belt extends around and over a series of rollers.

so that the contour of the belt intermediate the pair of fixed supporting rollers t5 and I6 and the movable supporting roller I? may be alternated between a tautispan, as shown in Figs. 1 and l, and a suspended loop or; sling. 6!, as. shown inFigs. Zand" 5. Thepair-of fixed rollers I5 and I6 are mounted in spaced relationship on the inclined sections of the frame members I3. The roller I5 is attached near the middle of the uprights and the roller I6 is attached about half way between the roller I5 and the rear end of the frame.

The belt-shiiting mechanism 8 comprises a pair of rocker arms I8 which carry between them the movablesupporting'roller I1 and an auxiliaryroller IS. The arms are pivoted at 26 between the uprights I3 near the base II whereby the roller I'I may be moved toward andaway from the roller I5 for alternating the contour of the belt intermediate the two rollers as already has been pointed out. Two pairs of latches 2I and 22 serve to retain the rocker arms I8 in the opposite limits of their movement. The pair of latches 2I are pivoted at 2IA to the rock, er arms I8 and connected together by a cross bar 2IB. The shoulders 23 engage the edge of the uprights I3 and retain the rocker arms in their retracted position for holding the belt taut intermediate the rollersI5 and II. The latches 22 are pivoted at 24 on the uprights l3 so that the shoulders 25 will engage coacting shoulders 26 on the upper ends of therocker arms I8, when the rocker arms, areshifted to bring the roller I'I into associated relationship with the roller I5 and thereby permit the belt to be formed into a suspendedloop or sling 6|.

A releasing mechanism for the latches 22 comprises a foot treadle 2I pivoted at 28 on the forward end ofthe base member II and connected by suitable link mechanism 29 to arms 30 (see Figs. 1 and 2) rigid with the latches 22.

This releasing mechanism acts against a spring 3| (see Fig. 2) which normally urges the latches 22 into position for engagement with the shoulders 26 on the rockerarms I8.

The belt-extending and -retracting mechanism 9, which might also be called a belt tightening and releasing mechanism, comprises a carriage 32 mounted for reciprocal movement on the uprights I3 whereby a pair of rollers 33 are adapted toextend theconveyor belt I around the roller 34 as shown inFigS. 1 and 4 or to permit said belt to be retracted as shown in Figs. 2 and 5. The carriage 32 is connected to a link belt 35 traveling around the sprockets 36 and 31. Suitable supporting guide means are arranged under a link belt 35 to ensure positive action of the hereinafter-mentioned stop 4I when the belt isnot taut.

The roller 34 is fixed on the frame members I3 directly below the/supporting roller I6 inwardly of a line between the roller I6 and the adjacent roller of the -y'vi nding mechanism Ill. The pair of rollers 33 are spaced apart vertically a distance slightly greater than the diameter of the roller 34'. When the carriage 32 is at the extreme right end-movement of its travel, the rollers 33 are retired from contact with the conveyor belt on the side opposite the roller 34.

An electric motor 38 provides the. drive for a link belt 35. This motor is mounted at the rear of the base member II outside the frame upright I3. It is connected to the sprocket 36 through a suitable reducing gear 39 and link belt 48. The startingand stopping of the motor 33 iscontrolled by a switch arm 38A'which controls a switch'38B (see Figs. 6 and 7).

Control of the carriage 32 in either direction is effected by a stop 4| which" contacts either one of the limit switches 42 and 43 (see Fig. 2). When thus engaged by the shoulder 4I these switches operate to cut off the motor 38 as indicated in the diagram Fig. 7. The switches 42 and 43' are adjustable along the frame so as to vary the extent of travel of the carriage 32 as circumstances may require.

The belt-winding mechanism IIJ comprises a pair of rollers 44 and 45 which are connected to the respective ends of the conveyor belt and operated by a motor drive 46. V

As clearly shown in the drawings, the winding roller 44 is mounted near the rear end of the base member II below the supporting roller I6, whereas the roller 45 is mounted near the forward end of the base member below and adjacent to the pivotal connection 26 of the rocker armsIll. The motor 46 is mounted at the forward, end of the base member II outside the frame upright I3. It is connected to the rollers 44 and through a worm drive 41 and link belt and sprocket mechanism 48 and 49 respectively. The ratio for the sprocket mechanisms 48 and 49 is such that the rate of winding of the beltonto the roller 44 is 1.6 times the unwinding of the belt. from the roller 45, the purpose of which is to eiiect a rot'ation'of the roll of wadding held in the suspended loop or sling 6|.

Control mechanism for limiting each winding operation of the winding mechanism comprises a'stop 50 (Fig. 2 andFig. 9) arranged for eng'agementwith limit switches 5I and 52 which are connected to control the circuit of the motor as. The stop" 50 is a specially formed link in the link belt 53 operating over the sprockets 54 and '55 respectively connected to the rollers 44 and 45; Suitable supporting guide means are arranged under the'link belt 53 to ensure positive action'of the'stop 56 when the belt is not taut. The switches SI and 52 are adjustably supported on arod 56 so that the amount of winding of the belt onto the roll 44 may be varied depending upon the requirements of the machine in'connection with varying sizes of rolls. The required manual control for the machine is provided by means of a switch panel 51 (see Fig; 3) mounted at one side of the machine near the front. As indicated, this has three buttons, one-for throwing on the current, another for cuttin it-Qfi, and a third for reversing the operation of the machine.

The winding roller 44 is provided with a coupling-58 whereby theroller may be disconnected N ameters.

from its link belt and sprocket drive 48 to permit more or. less of the belt to be initially wound onto the roller. 44. This provides for adjusting thebelt to handlerolls or wads of varying di- The operation of the machine is as follows:

With the parts shown in their respective positions asindicated in Figs. 1 and 4, the machine is ready to receive a roll or bat of wadding to be tightened and wrapped and then discharged to the delivery table I4,where it may be labeled preparatory for shipmentor storage. In preparation for receiving such a roll a wrapper 59 is laid on the belt intermediate the rollers I5 and IT, as shown in .Figs. 1 and 4. The roll or bat 60 (see Fig. 5) is placed upon the-belt whereupon has been laid the wrapper 59. The operator releases the latches 2 I, through the medium of the cross bar 2IB; which automatically release the .switch arm 38A to start the motor 38. The

latches ZI being retracted, theoperator pushes the rocker arms I8 rearwardly toward thesupporting roller I5. Obviously, this relaxation of the conveyor belt causes the span between rollers I5 and I I to sag so as to initiate the formation of a loop or sling M for the roll or bat 66..

operate to engage the shoulders 25 and -26 whereupon the rocker arms [Bare retained in their shifted position with the roller l1 ad-J'acenttothe roller l5.

Meanwhile, the motor 38 hasbeen retracting the carriage 32 so as to efiect lengthening thebelt between the rollers l and I! and thusinsure the formationof the loop SI-sufiiciently' large to receivethe bat or roll to; Themotor continues this retraction of the carriage--32until the shoulder ll contacts the switch 43 whereupon the current is out oil from the motor 38 and the conveyor belt is entirely free from the rollers 33 and -34. '(See 5.) I

The operator thereupon puts the motor 46' into operation which causes the rollers-M and 45 to be positively driven,the-former somewhat faster than the latter. Obviously, this produces a linear movement of the belt and at thesame time causes a reduction in the size-of the loop or sling" 6|. This combined linear movement of the belt and the reducing of the size of the loop 6| eiTects-arotation of the roll or bat 60 so'that the spiralis gradually tightened and more firmly compressed." Such movement of the winding mechanism continues until the shoulder 50' engages the switchil whereupon the current is automatically out ofiirom the motor ltand' the movement of the belt ceases.

Two methods may be used for sealing'the wrapper 59 around the'roll "60. One method wouldbe to apply a quick-drying glue to thetop edge of the wrapper'the one nearest'the' opera tor. The other method is to apply a strip of gummed tape after a slight initial tightening when the loose end of the wrapper is still exposed between the rollers l5 and i1. When the tightening' operation is completed the operator" pushes the reverse button on the switch panel 51'. This causes the motor #6 to rewind the belt 1 onto the roller 45, which is completed whenthe shoulder 50 engages the switch 52 "and 'cuts'ofi' current to the motor 46. The wrapped rollfill is loosely held in the slackened'looplil ready to be discharged onto the receiving'platform N. This is eiiected by the operator stepping on" the treadle 21, the movement of which iscarried' through the link mechanism 29 and arm 3'0 to retract the latches 22 to disengage the shoulders 25 and 26; The operator may thenret'ract the rocker arms l8. When the rocker arms l8 reach the limit of their retracted movement a switch arm 33A is shifted which starts the motor'38' intermediate the'rollers l5 and I1. hasbe'en re v stored to thetaut position shown in Figs." 1" and 4. Obviously, this has caused an elevation of the wrapped roll of wadding 60 so that as soon as the belt approaches its taut position the roll'of wadding will roll down onto theplatform It to be labeled for storage or shipment; i

Various devices may be constructed in accordance with the "principles disclosed in the fore-- reasonable construction consistent with the langua'ge appearin therein and the prior art.

We claim:

. 1} In a machine of the class described the combination of a'belt, a pair of supporting rollers relatively movable toward and away from each other for alternating the contour of said belt intermediate said rollersbetween a suspended loop and a tautspan, means coordinately operable with the relative movement of; said supporting rollers for shifting said belt so as to accelerate alternating the contour of said belt intermediate said rollers, a pair of winding rollers connected to the respective ends of said belt, and means positively actuating said winding rollers for effecting the linear-movement of said belt.

2. In a machine of the" class described the combination of a belt, a pair of supporting rollers relatively movable toward and away from each other for alternating the contour of said belt intermediate said rollers between a suspended loop and a taut span, means coordinately operable with the relativemovement of said supporting rollers for shifting said belt so as to accelerate alternating the contour of said belt intermediate said rollers,

pair of winding rollers connected to the respective ends of said belt, means positively actuating. saidwinding rollers at differing speeds for effecting the linear movement of said belt and synchronizing the effectual rotation and gradual lessening size of said suspended loop.

3. In a machineoi the class described the combination of a belt, a pair of supporting rollers relativei r movable towardand away from each other for alternating the contour of said belt intermediate said rollers between a suspended loop and a taut span, winding means remote from said supporting rollers and operable for eirecting the linear movement of said belt, and means movable transversely'of the span of said belt intermediate said winding means and said supporting rollers for extending and retracting said belt span to acce-Icrate alternating the contour of said belt intermediate said supporting rollers.

4. In a machine of the class described, the combin-ation of a belt, a pair of supporting rollers relatively movable toward and away from each other for alternating the contour of said belt intermediate said rollers between a suspended loop and a rant span, a pair of winding rollers connected to-the respective ends of said belt and operable at differing speeds for effecting the linear movement of said belt and synchronizing the ef-- fectual rotation and gradual lessening size'of said suspended loop, and means movable transversely I bination of a belt, a pair of fixed supporting rollers horizontally spaced, a third supporting roller movetoward and away from the nearest of said d rollers for alternating the contour of the intermediate said fixed and movable rollers between a suspended loop and a taut span, windin; means operable for effecting the linear movenient 'of'said belt, a stationary roller located ingoing. Accordingly, it is our desire that the. ac-ff companying claims shallbe' given theb'roadest contact with the v outer "face or said belt span on the side opposite said stationary roller, and means for horizontallyreciprocating said last mentioned pair of rollers coordinately with the shifting-of said supporting roller so as to advance and retract said belt around said-stationary roller and accelerate alternating'the'contour of said belt in-" termediate said, fixed and .movable supporting,

a stationary roller located inwardly of the span of belt intermediate one of said winding rollers and the adjacent fixed supporting roller, a pair of rollers spaced on opposite sides of said stationaryroller and positioned for contact with the outer face of said belt span on the side opposite said stationary roller, and means for horizontally reciprocating said last mentioned pair of rollers coordinately with the'shifting of said supporting roller so as to advance and retract said belt around said stationary roller and accelerate alternating the contour of said belt intermediate said fixed and movable supporting rollers.

:7. In a machine of the class described, the combination of a supporting frame, a belt, a pair of fixed supporting rollers horizontally spaced on said f1'ame,-a reciprocating arm, a roller mounted on said arm and movable thereby toward and away from the nearest of said fixed supporting rollers for alternating the contour of the belt intermediate said fixed and movable rollers between a suspended loop and a taut span, motordriven winding rollers connected to the respectiye ends of said belt and operable for effecting the linear movement of said belt, and other motor-driven means coordinately operable with the reciprocation of said arm for extending and retracting said belt transversely of its linear movement to accelerate the alternating contour of said belt intermediate said fixed and movable supporting .rollers.

8. In a machine of the class described, the combination of a supporting frame, a belt, a pair of fixed supporting rollers horizontally spaced on said frame, a reciprocating arm, a roller mounted on .said arm and movable thereby, toward and away from the nearest of said fixed supporting rollers for alternating the contour of the belt intermediate said fixed and movable rollers between a suspended loop and a taut span, motor-driven winding rollers connected to the respective ends of said belt operable at varying speeds for effecting the linear movement of said belt for synchronizing the eifectual rotation and gradual lessening size of said suspended loop, and other motor-driven means coordinately operable with the reciprocation of said arm for extending and retracting said belttransversely of its linear movement to accelerate the alternating contour of said belt intermediate said fixed and movable supporting rollers.

9. In amachine of the class described, the combination of a supporting frame, a belt, a. pair of fixed supporting rollers horizontally spaced on said frame, a reciprocating arm, a roller mounted on said am and movable thereby toward and away; from the-nearest of said fixed supporting rollers for alternating ;the contour of. the belt intermediate said fixed and movable rollers be;-

tween a suspended loop and a taut span, motordriven winding rollers connected to the respective ends of said belt and operable for effecting the linear movement oi -said belt, a stationary rollerfixed on said frame inwardly of the belt span intermediate one of said winding rollers and the adjacent fixed supporting roller, a carriage reciprocably mounted on said frame, a pair of said belt intermediatesaid; fixed and movable supporting rollers.

'10. In a machine or the class described, the

combination of a supporting platform, a. pair of upright frame members, a pair of horizontallyspaced belt-supporting rollers fixed to span said frame uprights, a pair of rocker arms; pivotally mounted betweensaid frame uprights and rigidly connected together by a second pair of vertically spaced belt-supporting.rollers, a pair of beltwinding .rollersga belt extending from one .of

said winding rollers over saidjpairs of supporting.

rollers to the otherwinding roller whereby the shifting of said rocker arms alternates the contourof said belt intermediate said pairs of said supporting roller's'between a suspending loop and, a taut span, a belt-straddling roller fixed on.

said frame inwardly of said belt intermediate one ofsaid winding rollers and the adjacent supporting roller, a pair of belt-shifting rollers s aced 0n oppositesides of said straddling roller on the opposite side of said belt, and a s'upportcombination of a supporting platform, a pair of upright frame members, a pair of horizontallyspaced belt-supporting rollers fixed to span said frame uprights, a pair of rocker arms pivotally mounted between said frame uprights and rigid,-

' ly-connected together by a second pair of vertically-spaced belt-supporting rollers, a pair of belt-winding rollers, a belt extending from one of said winding rollers over said pairs of supporting rollers to the other winding roller where-. by the shifting of said rocker arms alternates said belt on said straddled roller so asto-accelerate alternating :the contour of said belt intermediate said supporting rollers, motor-driven;

means for operating said belt-winding rollers at differing speeds for effecting the linear movement of said belt and synchronizing the effectual rotation and gradual lessening size of said suspended loop, and other motor driven means for reciprocating said carriage.

12. In a machine of the class described, the

combination of a supporting platform, a pair of upright frame members, a pair of horizontallyspaced belt-supporting rollers fixed to span said frame uprights, a pair of rocker arms pivotally mounted between said frame uprights and rigidly connected together by a second pair of verticallyspaced belt-supporting rollers, a pair of beltwinding rollers, a belt extending from one of said winding rollers over said pairs of supporting rollers to the other winding roller whereby the shifting of said rocker arms alternates the contour of said belt intermediate said pairs of said supporting rollers between a suspending loop and a taut span, a belt-straddling roller fixed on said frame inwardly of said belt intermediate one of said winding rollers and the adjacent supporting roller, a pair of belt-shifting rollers spaced on opposite sides of said straddling roller on the opposite side of said belt, and a supporting carriage for said latter pair of rollers reciprocal transversely of said belt for causing said rollers to extend and retract the straddle of said belt n said straddled roller so as to accelerate alternating the contour of said belt intermediate said supporting rollers, separate motor-driven means for actuating said belt-winding rollers and said carriage, and motor-circuit control-switch mechanism actuated by said motor-driven means for limiting the movement of said belt-winding rollers and saidcarriage.

13. In a machine of the class described, the combination of a supporting platform, a pair of upright frame members, a pair of horizontallyspaced belt-supporting rollers fixed to span said frame uprights, a pair of rocker arms pivotally mounted between said frame uprights and rigidly connected together by a second pair of vertically-spaced belt-supporting rollers, a pair of belt-winding rollers, a belt extending from one of said winding rollers over said pairs of supporting rollers to the other winding roller whereby the shifting of said rocker arms alternates the contour of said belt intermediate said pairs of said supporting rollers between a suspending loop and a taut span, a belt-straddling roller fixed on said frame inwardly of said belt intermediate one of said winding rollers and the adjacent supporting roller, a pair of belt-shifting rollers spaced on opposite sides of said straddling roller on the 0pposite side of said belt, and a supporting carriage for said latter pair of rollers reciprocal transversely of said belt for causing said rollers to extend and retract the straddle of said belt on said straddled roller so as to accelerate alternating the contour of said belt intermediate said supporting rollers, motor-driven means for operating said belt-winding rollers at differing speeds for effecting the linear movement of said belt and synchronizing the effectual rotation and gradual lessening size of said suspended loop, other motor driven means for reciprocating said carriage, motor-circuit control-switches mounted on said frame, and means actuated by the motordriven means for said belt-winding rollers and said carriage and engageable with said switches for limiting the movement of said belt-winding means and said carriage.

14. In a machine of the class described, the combination of a supporting platform, a pair of upright frame members, a pair of horizontallyspaced belt-supporting rollers fixed to span said frame uprights, a pair of rocker arms pivotally mounted between said frame uprights and rigidly connected together by a second pair of verticallyspaced belt-supporting rollers, a pair of beltwinding rollers, a belt extending from one of said winding rollers over said pairs of supporting rollers to the other winding roller whereby the shifting of said rocker arms alternates the contour of said belt intermediate said pairs of said supporting rollers between a suspending loop and a taut span, motor-driven means for actuating said winding rollers to eifect the linear movement of said belt when said rocker arms are shifted to form said loop contour, and coacting latch mechanisms on said frame and rocker arms for bolding said rocker arms in either of their positions.

CHARLES ALBERT FOURNESS. CARL HERMAN REICHEL. 

